The ‘good news’ today is that recoveries have far exceeded the number of new cases (669 ‘recoveries’ (meaning people no longer testing positive for the virus) against 374 new cases – the majority of them in Lisbon/ Vale do Tejo. With all focus today on how to stem the rising tide of infections, the other ‘good news’ is that these infections are not for the time being translating into increased pressure on the health service. Numbers in hospitals have fallen today (admittedly only by two) meaning there are now a total of 237 people being treated medically for Covid-19, only 52 of which are in intensive care (five less than yesterday). The last 24-hours however have seen three deaths attributed to the virus. Today’s overriding concern is the country’s Rt number which has increased from Friday’s bulletin (when it stood at 1.03) to 1.06. This is the highest number, says Expresso, since authorities started reporting Rt levels, which explains the flurry of soundbites about Lisbon in the press. As we have reported in our ‘breaking news section’, ‘a plan’ to revert the situation in Lisbon will be announced later this evening. For today’s bulletin click here and then click on today’s date.
